I am white, and I've got everything I need
No one clutches their purses when they're in a room alone with me
And I can drive through any neighborhood I please
At any hour, and the police don't do a thing

So if I see a penny on the ground
I leave it alone or fucking flip it
I'm a straight white male in America
I've got all the luck I need

I'm a guy getting paid more than a girl with a degree
And I can walk down the streets after dark, no one wants to rape me
And I can get a girl pregnant, and just as easily flee
Just like my straight white male dad did to me

So if I see a penny on the ground
I leave it alone or fucking flip it
I'm a straight white male in America
I've got all the luck I need

I've got a pile of broken mirrors and I'm walking under ladders
And I'm spilling tons of salt because to me that doesn't matter
Because my skin and my gender and my orientation
Are the best things to have when you live in this nation
I recommend it highly

So if I see a penny on the ground
I leave it alone or fucking flip it
I'm a straight white male in America
I've got all the luck I need
Shit's gonna work out for me
I'm a straight white male in America
I got all the luck I need


Lyrics submitted by WorldStrike

American Tune song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • +5
    General Comment

    This song is about privilege.

    aclockworktomatoon October 06, 2011   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation

    I think that there's more to this song that the other commentators seem to think. On one hand I think the singer is genuinely admitting that his life is easier because of his race, gender, orientation, etc. but at the same time he sounds kind of sarcastic. Consider the lines.

    "And I can get a girl pregnant, and just as easily flee Just like my straight white male dad did to me"

    Even though the singer is a straight white male he still grew up without a father. Yes he has advantages over other people in some situations but that doesn't mean his life is perfect or easy.

    I think that this song is making fun of both the people who think that being a straight white male doesn't make your life any easier while also making fun of the people who think it gives you a free pass in life.

    chiefeon August 16, 2015   Link
  • +1
    My Opinion

    I love this song. At first he sounds snarky and racist and sexist and stuff, but once it gets to "I recommend it highly" It's just like, showing how people can't choose the race/sexuality/gender they are and how some people have better rights for no reason but how they were born and, I just really love this song.

    Franztasticon September 02, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    it's about the sheer randomness of who we're born as, and how it shapes your entire life and can give you an unfair advantage or disadvantage

    Crane42on March 31, 2014   Link

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